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the
second one—the father using his belt so harshly you could really see bruises on
my backside. My last foster family couldn't get rid of me fast enough. Riley
didn't really want me, he wanted Lane."
    Mike didn't say anything. After a long moment he wondered if the
guy was going to say anything when he rose up, taking his arms from around
Connor. Pain blossomed at the loss then Mike was above him, straddling him.
    "I love you."
    Connor sucked in a breath, his eyes wide. This wasn't what he
expected from Mike. The declaration scared him a bit but he also liked it.
"Really?"
    "Yeah, I freaking love you and I'm not going to ruin
this. Get up and get dressed. We'll eat some breakfast and hang out. I'm not
letting you down. I'll be out in the kitchen. We can eat and play it cool
today. Just you and me, getting to know each other and spending time
together."
    Mike stood and Connor grabbed his hand. When Mike looked back
the love was evident. Connor swallowed, trying to calm his racing heart.
"Thank you."
    "Come out when you're dressed. We'll eat then find
something to do."
    "I'd like that."
    Connor watched Mike leave the room then dashed to the
bathroom and washed off quickly. He dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, excited to
spend the day with Mike. It was the first time he'd been excited since losing
Riley. The thought took his breath away and he leaned against the wall and
closed his eyes, thinking about how good life with Mike would be. But what if
Mike changed his mind. Could he accept rejection again?
    Connor stepped out of the bedroom and into the den. Mike
didn't take his eyes off Connor as he approached. This was exactly what he'd
been looking for—acceptance without censure. "Thanks for everything,"
Connor whispered.
    "I want you to understand how special you are. How
others have treated you in the past isn't the way you should have been treated.
I can't say why they did it, but I think you need to realize that you're special."
    Tears burned the back of his eyes. "You're being so nice
to me."
    Mike brushed his lips over Connor's before separating and
heading into the kitchen. "Eat up. We're headed over to Crazy Hills to
ride horses."
    "Did you call Lane?"
    "No, they're headed out of town. I talked to Michael. He
said it was okay. Their guests are leaving today and we can have run of the
place."
    "Sounds good."
    Mike served him a stack of pancakes then sat next to him.
"You know I have to leave in a week."
    Connor stopped chewing and tried to swallow but suddenly the
food didn't seem so good. "I know but I don't want to think about
it."
    "It's not goodbye. We'll figure out a way to have a long-distance
relationship."
    "Do you really think it would work?"
    "We'll both have to make changes, but yeah, I think it'll
work. We'll make it work. It won't be easy, but you're worth it."
    Connor swallowed hard, unease sliding through him. He
couldn’t even make relationships work when he was close by, how could he and
Mike survive the trials of a long-distance love?

 
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    Gresh watched Lane as he frolicked in the warm Caribbean
waters. They'd arrived last night and already he felt better. Lane had insisted
Gresh rest while he went for a swim. Gresh didn't mind, it gave him a chance to
lust over his lover, studying every inch of his beautiful body.
    Lane shot out of the surf, the crystal water beading on his
skin. He ran up the beach, headed straight for Gresh. The tiny blue suit Lane
wore matched the ocean's color, making his tanned torso stand out. He looked
hot leaving Gresh hard and wanting. Gresh admired the way Lane's hips jutted
out just above the top of the suit. The sweet V of Lane's waist had become more
pronounced since Gresh's accident. It made him sad that Lane had almost stopped
eating completely when he was in a coma. Lane was eating now but he still
hadn't gained back much of the weight. His man was healthy and Gresh wasn't
complaining since his lover looked hotter than ever, but he still